Episode 149: Stretch Your Strudel and Bring Goulash

Airport lines, border rules, private islands, and that one city you should never treat as a quick stopover all collide in this fast-moving travel-packed hour. We start with the kind of travel news that actually changes your day: TSA testing dedicated family screening lanes built for strollers and diaper bags, plus a family discount for TSA PreCheck. If you’ve ever tried to juggle kids and bins at security, you’ll want to hear where it’s launching and what it could mean for your next trip.From there, we tackle Europe travel updates that can catch U.S. travelers off guard. Europe’s ETIAS entry and exit system finally lands on a new start date, and the cost climbs to 20 euros per person. We talk through what that means in plain English so you can avoid surprises when you land. And yes, we also hit the lighter headline: an animatronic Walt Disney is now “back” at Disneyland as part of the park’s 70th anniversary.A listener question takes us deep into Budapest travel planning before a Danube river cruise. We share exactly why arriving two to three days early is worth it, where to stay for the best river views, and what’s unmissable once you’re there, from the Parliament building and Castle Hill to moving memorials and market stops. We even get into what goulash is and why a Budapest strudel cooking class is one of the most fun ways to taste the city.We wrap with big-trip inspiration and deals: a Canyon Spirit train upgrade offer, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2027 cruise plans and private island upgrades, Carnival’s new Celebration Key beach destination, the Love Boat cast reunion cruise, and up to $3,000 off Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express along Norway’s coast for Northern Lights season. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find us.This episode of The Vacation Nerd Podcast and Radio Show is presented by Rampage Rental & Repair!  Headed to St. George, Utah? Get out and RIDE! Rent or buy your Ebike at Rampage Rental & Repair—or get your own bike tuned up and trail-ready.Cruise Snow Canyon, ride the Virgin River Trail, or explore Kayenta.Reserve your ebike ride today! Call 435-767-2003 or book at RampageRentalRepair.com.Rampage Rental & Repair—gear up, get out, and RIDE! Support the showThank you for taking the time to listen to the show.  There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next.  Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally.  You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count.  Make memories with those that matter most to you.TAKE ACTION:  Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it.  If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you.  Please call, text, or email me.  Here's my contact information:Patrick WiscombeCell/Text:  (801) 874-7717Email:  [email protected] Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast):  https://www.thevacationnerd.co/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerdFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombeInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombeThreads:  https://www.threads.com/@pa...